CHRIST EXAMINES HIS CHURCHES Revelation1:9-20

CHRIST EXAMINES HIS CHURCHES While in the midst of the seven churches of Asia, Christ had conducted an examination of them. We are going to notice five things concerning this examination based on the results given in chapters two and three. For all we know, Christ is examining us, even now.

CHRIST EXAMINES HIS CHURCHES THE EXAMINATION WAS PERSONAL.

Revelation 2:1-2 1  "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2  I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

Revelation 2:9, 13 9 I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 13 I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

Revelation 2:19; 3:1 19 I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Revelation 3:8, 15 8 I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

Hebrews 4:13 13  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

CHRIST EXAMINES HIS CHURCHES THE EXAMINATION WAS PERSONAL. A. Criticism was personal.

Revelation 2:4, 14 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

Revelation 2:20 20  Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

CHRIST EXAMINES HIS CHURCHES THE EXAMINATION WAS PERSONAL. A. Criticism was personal. B. Promise of reward was personal.

Revelation 2:7, 17 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." ' 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it." '

Revelation 2:26; 3:5 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelation 3:12, 21 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.